Watercolor portrait of Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)

Red-eyed Vireo

Vireo olivaceus
Strongly migratory Deciduous and mixed forests Common Question-and-answer song

Learn to identify the Red-eyed Vireo by ear. Master the "Here I am... where are you?" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“Here I am... where are you?”

What the Red-eyed Vireo sounds like

A stocky, medium-sized vireo often heard more than seen. It has olive-green upperparts and white underparts. The crown is gray, and there is a striking head pattern: a white eyebrow (supercilium) bordered above by a dark gray line and below by a black eye-line through the red eye. This gives the face a striped appearance. The eye of adults is indeed red (ruby red iris), but can appear dark from a distance; juveniles have brown eyes. The bill is fairly stout and hooked at the tip (typical of vireos). Red-eyed Vireos move methodically through tree canopies, pausing to sing every few seconds during summer days. They are not flashy, but their constant singing makes them one of the soundscape staples of eastern forests.

“Here I am... where are you?”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A series of short, melodious phrases often described as a robin-like song broken into pieces. The vireo sings incessant phrases that sound like it's asking and answering questions: e.g., "See me? Here I am! Up here. See me?" Each phrase is 2-3 notes long, slurred or whistled, separated by pauses. The tone is sweet but slightly nasal or raspy. Males repeat variations of a few phrase types over and over, often all day long in summer. Often written as “Here I am... where are you?”.
Don't confuse with:The Philadelphia Vireo — smaller and more yellow overall (often has a yellow wash on the throat and breast).

Lessons featuring the Red-eyed Vireo

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Red-eyed Vireo's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Park Songposts lesson habitat
Park Songposts
Tier 2 · Around the Block
Vireos & Big-Time Singers lesson habitat
Vireos & Big-Time Singers
Tier 4 · Songbirds & Sky Watch
Vireo Question Machine lesson habitat
Vireo Question Machine
Tier 10 · Going Deeper
Start Learning Free

Where you'll hear it

Deciduous and mixed forests. They prefer large tracts of mature broadleaf forest, but also utilize smaller woodlots, parks, and suburban areas with ample trees during migration. They are very common in eastern hardwood forests (oak, maple, etc.), and also found in aspen or mixed woods in the north. During migration, they will stop in almost any habitat with trees, including urban trees. In winter, they reside in the Amazon Basin's forests (South America) and are rarely encountered in North America outside of breeding season.

Arrives on breeding grounds in late April or May. Males begin incessant singing almost immediately to establish territories. Nesting occurs from late May through July; they build cup nests suspended from forked twigs in mid-upper canopy. They continue singing all summer long, often even in the heat of midday when other birds go quiet. By August, singing wanes and they start fattening up on berries for migration. Fall migration peaks in August and September; they travel mostly via long flights at night to South America. During winter (Northern Hemisphere winter), they live in Amazonian South America, in rainforest and second-growth, remaining quiet or giving only occasional calls. In spring, they make a long return journey (often via Central America and across the Gulf of Mexico) to arrive by late April/early May back in North America.

Similar species

Philadelphia Vireo

Smaller and more yellow overall (often has a yellow wash on the throat and breast).

Warbling Vireo

Warbling Vireos have a plainer face – no strong black eyeline, just a faint gray eyebrow and a generally weak face pattern.

Red-eyed Vireo song FAQ

What does a Red-eyed Vireo sound like?
A series of short, melodious phrases often described as a robin-like song broken into pieces. The vireo sings incessant phrases that sound like it's asking and answering questions: e.g., "See me? Here I am! Up here. See me?" Each phrase is 2-3 notes long, slurred or whistled, separated by pauses. The tone is sweet but slightly nasal or raspy. Males repeat variations of a few phrase types over and over, often all day long in summer. Listen for the "Here I am... where are you?" phrase.
How do I tell a Red-eyed Vireo from a Philadelphia Vireo by sound?
Philadelphia Vireo: Smaller and more yellow overall (often has a yellow wash on the throat and breast).; Philadelphia Vireo also lacks the red eye (dark eye) and the contrast between the white eyebrow and crown is less pronounced (crown tends to be brownish-olive).; Philadelphia is usually found in more edge or successional habitats during migration and is generally less common.; It can be tricky, but the Red-eyed's bright white eyebrow and larger size are key differences..
When is the best time to hear a Red-eyed Vireo?
Arrives on breeding grounds in late April or May. Males begin incessant singing almost immediately to establish territories. Nesting occurs from late May through July; they build cup nests suspended from forked twigs in mid-upper canopy. They continue singing all summer long, often even in the heat of midday when other birds go quiet. By August, singing wanes and they start fattening up on berries for migration. Fall migration peaks in August and September; they travel mostly via long flights at night to South America. During winter (Northern Hemisphere winter), they live in Amazonian South America, in rainforest and second-growth, remaining quiet or giving only occasional calls. In spring, they make a long return journey (often via Central America and across the Gulf of Mexico) to arrive by late April/early May back in North America.